Strip-casting mechanism



2 Shoots-Shut 1 TTOENEY C.- H. BRASTED STRIP CASTING MECHANISH Filed Sent. 13 1918 Sept. 2 1924.

Sept. 2 1924.A 1,507,456

C. H. BRASTED STRIP CASTING MECHANISI Filed Sept. 13, 1918 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 2,` 1924.

UNITED STATES CLAIR n. BRASTED, or nasi* MENTS, 'ro THE LUDLow Tyroenarn ronATroN or 'n.LINoIs.

.PATENT ermee.

CLEVELAND, cino,- AssICNoR, B Y MEsNE assidu-1 CCMPANY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A con STRIP-CASTING MECHANISM.

Application filed September 13, 1918. Serial No. 253,915..

i particularly to the production'of metal strips lin the form.known 1n the printing art as rules, leads and the like, the object of the v invention being toI provide an apparatus for' forming strips ofxthis sort in an expeditious and economical manner from the metal that is ordinarily employed in casting type bars or slugs for printing. By being able to produce rules and leads at a low enough cost, they may be remelted, just as itis the current practice in linotype -work to remelt such type bars or slugs, and so provide fresh material for each form.

To the accomplishment of the 'foregoing and related ends,the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description settin forth in detail certain mechanism embo ying the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but several of the various mechanical forms lin which the be used.

In said annexed drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved machine for forming. metal strips of the kind in question; Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of thes'ame; 3 is a s ide elevation of a part of suchmachine, namely, the melting-pot and associated feeding-mechanismf Figs. 4 and`4a are 4sectional views of portions of the machine taken on the planes indicated by the line 4 4 and 9 4, Fig.. 2; Figs.l A5 and 6 are sectional views taken, on the planes indicated by the lines 5 5. and 6 -6 respectively, Fig. 2; ,Fig 7 .is a sectional view corresponding with that of Fig. 5,' but showing a modification in construction and -F ig.l 8 is a front elevation correspo ding with that of Fig. 2, and showingstill another modification. h e

principle of the invention may The general frame of the machine may of course take on various forms, but is shown as a table 1 withsuitable supportin legs or standards 2 at its respective ends. unted on such table in transversely aligned bearings 3 is a solid wheel or disk 4 which has its periphery formed with a molding groove 5 of a depth and ,cross-section corresponding with the width and thickness of the strip which it is desired to form. .This disk is 1 adapted to be driven through an attached gear 6, with which a pinion 7 on a driving shaft 8 meshes, asbest shown in Fig. 2.

Co-operativewith the periphery of wheel i 4 is an endless belt v10 consisting preferably of a flexible steel band that passes around two pulleys or rollers 11 and 12 supported at the proper radial distance from the vaxis of the wheel and spaced a suiiicient rdistance apart to cause such belt or band to close the groove 5 in the wheel for an angular distance of approximately thirty degrees in the constructixon illustrated. However, as to theextent to which the groove is thus covered,V

it will be understood that this is a matter permitting of considerable Varlatiolt.- The rollers in question are shown as tbeing carried in a suitable frame 13`monted so as to 'l 'be bodily oscillatory about the axisof the wheel, and means are lprovided for adjusting suchA frame, and thus the wheels conjointly with the belt or band carried thereby, angularly about such axis. In the construction under consideration, these means consist of a handled screw 14 in a swivel mounting 15 on the bed or table 1, pivotally connected to` the frame. The latter includes a supplemental member 16, the one roller 11 bein directly journaled in the main frame.

mem er, and the other roller 12 being carried in such supplemental member which is movable towards .and away from the rst mentioned roller by means of suitable adjusting screws 17. It accordingly results that the two rollers, in addition to' being conjointly adjustable lin an arc having the axis of the disk for itsaxis, are relativel adjustable ir. a straight line approximate y tangential to said disk. Member 16 in which such scond roller 12l is thus carried furthermore also has a slight movement in a radial direction with respect to the axis of the wheel, ,compression springs 18 being interposedA between said member and the main frame, lso

35 being arranged to heat its projecting end,

as to force such end of the' former inwardly. By means of the foregoin construction the portion of the belt vor ban 10 that contacts with'the "wheel 4 will obviously be held in close-fitting contact therewith at all times, while nevertheless free to be driven around the pulleys by its frictional contact with such wheel. .Y

The yframe 13 also carries ade'vice for stripping the metal from the groove in the wheel, consisting of alshoe oscillatorily mounted below thelower roller 12 and having one end formed to engage in the groove 5, its upper face being curved .to direct the strip in a general horizontal direction. At

a suitable distance from the stripping l'dev ice and the adjacent roller,.a pair of pulling rolls 21 are desirably provided, in order to exert a certain amount of tension on ythe strip A and also straighten it out. spindles 22 carryngjthese rolls are inter- `geared and are driven by means of a sprocket chain 23 connecting one such spindle with the drive shaft 8.

For supplying the necessary molten metal. to the machine, a casting 'pot possessing certain special features of construction yis provided, such pot being carried on a bracket 25 located to one side, or rather the rear, of the machine, regarding the same as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The main melting pot 2Q is of more or' less familiar construction, being heated by asuitable burner 27. Leading from the bottom of such pot 26 is a valvecontrolled duct 28, a supplementalburner 29 as shown in- Fig. 3. This duct discharges into a supplemental pot 30 of considerably smaller size than the 4main pot,l and having a burner 31 beneath it to keep the metal inv proper molten condition. From this smaller pot a second duct, or rather discharge nozzle 32, leads to a point approximately directly over the axis of the wheel 4,- and in line with the molding groove 5 in the periphery of such wheel. The point of discharge in rfact is preferably a trifle over the center in the dii rection in which the wheel rotates, such direction `being indicated by the arrow in lFig. 2, and just in advance of the point where the belt or band contactswith such wheel. `A

valve\33 in this nozzle serves to regulate the rate of discharge so that just enough metal will flow` from the nozzle to fill the groove,` at the-rate of speed'atwhich the wheel is being rotated.

. In order that the iiow may be as nearly uniform as ossible, it is desirable that the level of ymo tenl metal inthe auxiliary pot should not vary `an appreciable amount. Accordingly, an automatic 7arrangement for maintaining such level constant is provided, consisting of'a iioat 35'in said Si connected with one end of a lever or wa g beam 36,' the other end of which has attached to it a rod-37 with a valve`38 on its lower-end (see Fig. 3) adapted to co-operate with the ope`n lng in the bottom of the main pot thatcom- The mode of operation of my improved machine should be readily apparent fromthe foregoing description. The flow of molten metal being properly regulated, astrip A is' formed of such metal in the groove on the periphery of the wheel, since such metal will have time to congeal or solidify as it passes along in contact with the belt. `At the lower point of contact of the latter with the wheel, the strip can accordingly be detached Jfrom the wheel and directed between lthe rollers 21 which, as previously indicated, assist in the foregoing operation by putting a certain amount of tension on the stri and at the same time serve to straightenit out. The strip may'then be handledin any de-V sired fashion, but preferably it will be cut up by an automatic cutting device (not shown) into lengths desired.`

The wheel shown in/Figs. is adapted to form but a single kind of strip. Should one of diierent dimensions be desired, such wheel accordingly requires to be replaced with anotherhaving a groove of corresponding size. It is lnot at all a diiiicult matter to thus interchange wheels, but in order to reduce the necessity, a wheel 40 of greater width having two or more grooves can be utilized 'if desired, as is shown in Fig. 7. In such event, the wheel will have to be shiftable longitudinally of its axis, or else the -rollers and belt 'will have to be thus shiftable. ln the ligure in, question the 'construction provides for thus rendering the wheel adjustable by` means of threaded 1 to 6 inclusive, i

sleeves 41 to br'ng either one of two grooves 42 and 43 in its periphery into line with the rollers 11 and 12 and belt' 10,

yond the roller, it is no longer fluid. In this construction I show a diierent arrangement 120 for adjusting the angular vposition of the frame 48 carrying the single roller, such ar-` rangement consisting of a segment gear 49 `on the lower end of the frame, with which a pinion 50, operated by a hand-wheell 51, is

vadapted to mesh. The position of the frame,

and thus of the roller, can in this way be readily varied while the machine is operation. Also, the device 52 for strlppmg the metal from the groove is shown as being die reetly supported on the'bed 1 of the machine.

With uthe foregoing mechanism I have found it practicable to form strip stock closely conforming to any prescribed dimensions, without any trimming thereof being necessary. However, if desired, in order either to make the stock with perfectly rec-44 tangular edges, or to decrease the width of the stock without ha ing to lchange the dimensions of the mol groove, a suitable trimming device may be employed in conjunction with either form of mechanism hereinbefore described. 15

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention maybe employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In apparatus for forming a strip or the like direct from molten metal, the combination with a suitably supply of such metal; of a rotary disk provided with a molding groove in its outer face, a nozzle adapted to -di'schargea graduated stream of metal into such groove; and a member contacting with such face of said disk to close a section of such groove adjacent Said nozzle, said member being movable conjointly with the disk face wherewith it thus contacts and also being bodily angularly adjustable about the axis of said disk.

2. Ikn .apparatus for forming a strip or the v like dlrect from molten metal, the combination with a suitable supply of such metal; of a rotary disk provided with a molding groove in its outer face; a nozzle adapted to discharge a graduated stream of metal into such groove; and a traveling band contacting with such face 'of said disk to close a section of such groove adjacent said nozzle, said band being movableconjointly with thedisk face wherewith it thus contacts and also being bodily axis of said disk.

3. In apparatus for forming a strip or the like direct from molten metal, `the combination with a suitable supply of such metal; of

a rotary `disk provided with a molding.

groove in its outer face;a nozzle adapted to discharge a graduated Jstream of metal into suchc groove; a frame angularly, adjustable about the axis of said disk; two rollers mounted in said fra/me; and an endless band traveling around said rollers and contacting with such face of said disk to close a section of such groove adjacent said nozzle, said band being movable conjointly with the disk face wherewith it thus contacts.

4.,.In apparatus for forming a strip or the like directffrom molten meta the combina,-

angularly adjustable about the' tion with a suitable supply of such metal; of a rotary disk provided with a molding groove in its outer face; a nozzle adapted to discharge a graduated stream'ofmetal into such groove; two rollers mounted so as to be relatively adjustable in a straight line approximately tangential to ,said disk; and an endless band traveling around said rollers and contacting with such face of said disk so as to close a section ofsaid groove adjacent said nozzle, said band being movable conjointly with the disk face wherewith it thus contacts.

5. In apparatus Jfor forming a strip or the like direct from molten metal, the combination with a suitable supply'of such metal; of

a rotary diskv provided with a molding groove in ,its outer face; a nozzle adapted to discharge a graduated stream of metal into such groove; a frame angularly adjustable about the axis-of said disk, two rollers of a rotary disk provided with a molding groove in its outer face; a nozzle adapted to discharge a graduated stream of metal into such groove; a frame angularly adjustable `about the axis of said disk; two rollersrelatively adjustable in said frame in a straight .liner approximately tangential to Said disk;

and an endless band traveling around said rollers and contacting with such face of said disk so as to close a section of said groove adj acentl said n zzle, said band being movable conjointly wit thus contacts.

7 In apparatus for forming a-stripy or the like direct from molten metal, the combination with a suitable supply of such metal; of a rotary disk provided with a molding groove in its outer face; a nozzle adapted to discharge a graduated stream of metal into such groove; a frame angularly adjustable about the axis of said disk; a roller mounted insaid frame;l a secondaryframe carried by said irst frame and movable towards and .and contacting with such face of said disk to close a section of such groove adjacent- .said nozzle, said band being movable conjointly with the disk face wherewith it thus contacts.

8. In apparatusior forming a strip or the like direct from molten metal, the combination with a suitable supply of such metal; of-

the disk face wherewith ita l'rotary disk provided vvith I' a molding metal onto vsuch disk'face, said disk beinggroove in its outer face; a nozzle adapted to axially adjustable to bring a selected groove Y discharge a graduated stream of lmetal into intoy alignmentivvith maid-nozzle.V

` band 4traveling around said rollers and con; into alignment With said nozzle; and a mem-A such groove; a frame angulary adjustable ed-,in said frame; a secondary .frame carried combination of a rotary-disk provided with bysaid rst frame and movabletowards and a plurality of parallel grooves in its outer'f from the axis of said disk; resilient means face of differing cross-section; a nozzle tending: to Amove said secondary frame adapted to discharge afgraduated stream of. towards such axis; a second roller mounted metal onto such diskfface, said disk beingin said secondary frame; and an endless axially-adjustable to bring a selected groove tacting with such face of said disk to 'close ber contacting with such disk-facet() close a section of such groove adjacent said nozzle, a section of the groove thus aligned with said band being movable conjointly with the Said nozzle, said member being movable condisk face Wherewith it thus contacts, I jointly with the disk fcewhel'ewith it thus 9. In apparatus for forming a strip or contacts.

like element direct from molten metal, the v 14- In appaltllsfol forming a strip or combination of a memberV provided with a. like element direct from molten metal, the plurality of parallel grooves of dioring combination of awrotary disk provided with cross-section, said member being movable a pluralitymf parallel'grooves in its Outer longitudinally of said` grooves; and a nozzle face of differing cross-section; a nozzle adapted to discharge'a graduated stream of adaptedto discharge a graduated stream of metal, said member' and nozzle lbeing relametal onto such disk-face, said disk being plurality of parallel grooves of diering Where/With it thus Cont-acts- 15. In apparatus for forming a strip or tively adjustable in a direction transverse axially adjustable to'brin a SeleCtd. gIOOVe of such grooves to bring a selected one there-l Into allgnment with sald nozzle; and a of in line with said nozzle, traveling band contacting with such disk- 10. In apparatusfor forming a strip or 'face to ClOSe a section of the groove lthus i like element direct from molten metal, the aligned with said nozzle, said band being combination of a member provided with a movable conjointly with the`V disk face cross-section, said member being movable vlongjtudinally of said grooves; a nozzle the like direct from molten metal', the comadapted to discharge agraduated stream of binatlon Witlra suitable Supply of such metmetal, said member -and nozzle being relaal; of a rotary disk provided with a moldtively adjustable in a direction transverse of Ing groovelin its outer face; a nozzle adapt- 13., In apparatus .for forming a strip or. about the axis ofsaid disk; aroller mountlike element dirbctfrom 'molten metal, the

such grooves to bring a. selected* one thereed to discharge a graduated stream of metal or in line with said nozzle; anda second into such groove; and a member contacting member contacting 'with said firsty member with such face of said disk to close a section to close a section of the groove-thus aligned vof such groove adjacent said nozzle, said With said nozzle, said member being movable member being movable conjointly With the plurality of parallel grooves of diering disk face wherevvith it thus contacts and said" cross-section, said member being movableA the like directifrom molten metal, the comlongitudinally of said, grooves, a nozzle bination With a suitable supply oi such metadapted to discharge a graduated stream of al; of 'a rotary disk provided with a moldmetal, said member and nozzle being relaing groove in its outer face; a nozzle adapti tivelyadjustable in a direction transverse of ed to discharge a graduated stream of metal .such grooves tobring a selected lone thereof into such groove at a point approximately in line' with said nozzle; and a traveling directly over the 'axis of said. disk; and a band contacting with saidmember to'closevmemb'er contacting with such face of said a section of the groove'thus aligned with. disk to close a section of such groove adsaid nozzle,.said band being movable conjacent said nozzle, said member being movjointly 'with the disk face 'Wherewith it thus l able conjointly with the disk face wherewith contacts. e

it thus contacts. i l

12. Inl apparatus for forming a strip or 17. In apparatus for forming a strip or like element directfrom molten metal, the the like direct from molten metal, the comcombination of a rotary disk 'provided vvitlil -bination with a suitable supply of such a plurality of parallel groovesin its outer metal; of a rotary disk provided with l face of 'differing cross-section; and a bzzle a molding groove in its Aouter 'faceg a adapt d to discharge a aduated stream of nozzle .adapted to discharged a. graduated i gr stream of metal into such groove at a point approximately directly over the.y axis of said disk and in a substantiallytangential direction; and a member contacting with such face of said disk to close a section of such groove adjacent said nozzle, said memberl being movable conjointly with the disk face wherewith it thus contacts.

18. In apparatus for forming a strip or the like direct from molten metal, the 'combination with a suitable .supply of such metal; of a rotary disk provided with a. molding groove in its outer face; a nozzle adapted to discharge a graduated stream of metal Jinto such groove at a point approximately directly over the axis of such disk and in a substantially tangential direction; and a member contacting with such face of said disk to close a section of such groove adjacent said nozzle.

Signed by me, this 16th ,day of 1918.

" CLAIR H. BRASTED.

`August, I 

